How to Design Google PD That Works! I put together a framework for Google PD that I hope others will benefit from. I’m sharing the order that I teach G Suite apps as well as sharing free resources and tips along the way. Shake Up Learning » How to Design Google PD That Works! Ready to Shake Up Learning? I have delivered hundreds of hours of professional learning over the last ten years or so, and a vast portion of those sessions have focused on using Google tools in the classroom.

I’ve learned a lot of lessons as a Google trainer, A LOT! So to help other trainers, I put together a framework for Google PD that I hope others will benefit from. I’m sharing the order that I teach G Suite apps as well as sharing free resources and tips along the way. I presented a lot of these ideas last summer at ISTE 2017.

I can cover in one blog post. Start from the bottom and work your way up. This framework starts from the ground up! This is not a framework that I use for 1-hour presentations, but for more extended workshops or boot camps. Even with experienced users, there is always something new to learn, and I find this order works best for me. It’s a great companion and resource for Google training.

The foundation for all professional learning should revolve around adult learning best practices and good andragogy. If you are in a position of trainer or professional developer, you should spend some exploring adult learning strategies. Respect their time: start and finish on time! Don’t assume they are doing things wrong in their classrooms. Put the teacher in the seat of a student. Be open to questions and ideas from participants. Encourage collaboration and connections within the group.

Empower teachers to share what they are doing in their classrooms during the session. Nothing gets my goat like sitting in a whole group staff development session that is TELLING me that I need to be doing small group instruction in my classroom. The strategies should be demonstrated and modeled for the audience. Model giving voice and choice to the participants. Model facilitation, not just presentation. When teaching G Suite, especially for beginning users, I always start with Google Chrome. I consider Google Chrome the learning environment for all things Google.

And every time I have ever started with any other application, I have regretted it. Google Chrome skills will set them up for success in using the other applications within G Suite. Tonight Show game for pre-assessment. This is a great extension to help teachers and students learn G Suite apps as they go. It’s on-demand tutorials built into the applications, and it’s FREE! After Chrome, I usually move into Docs or Slides.

Most of the time I use Google Docs because even the lowest skill levels are typically familiar with some kind of word processor and will have skills that transfer. Use a table in Docs to give them dedicated real estate on the page where each participant gets their own row. Number the rows and assign numbers if you need to. Tables give it some structure, so they don’t get frustrated. But, they need to experience the chaos of collaboration in a Doc. Teachers will behave very similar to their students! As you demonstrate each step in skill, have them try in the document.

Collaborative Note Taking with Google Docs. It’s a great way to combine a get to know you activity with some Google Slides skills. Each participant gets a slide, giving them their own real estate and playground. They get to see how Google Slides can be used for much more than just presentations. Show two or three ways to spice up the slides, let them work. Show two or three more features, let them work.